My thoughts on the iPad2 after using it for a while

(note - I'm guessing that I'm going to get hammered by some Apple fans here, but this is my honest opinion).

So, most who know me know I'm not a fan of Apple. I think they are the biggest monopoly in the world with their closed system and need to have everything through them. I hate iTunes. Some say that's a benefit. I also think that their products are over hyped and over priced for what they do. I've used many an iPhone and iPad in the past and been underwhelmed. I wonder if it's because I used a webOS phone (and still use a webOS tablet)? webOS is the slickest mobile OS in terms of user interface and multi-tasking. I also used a PDA and smart phone long before the iPhone came out, so it wasn't as big a thing to me.

Many people asked me if I owned an iPhone or iPad and I had not. I've used friends' iPhones or iPads a lot, but didn't own one. That recently changed, sort of. I was given a loaner iPad2 to review the PhotoShop Touch app (I do have to return it soon). I used the iPad for about 2 weeks straight to test it out also and came up with some thoughts and issues I list below. The funny thing is that I stopped using it after that and it has sat on my shelf for the last 3 weeks. I have no need or desire to use it.

For mobile use, I use my Android smartphone, an HTC Droid Incredible 2, most of the time and then use my TouchPad for some things. I also use my CR-48 Chromebook. At home I have a Dell Laptop and use an HP Desktop at school. I have yet to have an app I want that isn't available on either Android or as a web app.


Points of Contention:

• I was very underwhelmed by it. I really don't see what makes it so special. I have an HP TouchPad running webOS and find it much more useful, even with out having 3 gazillion apps. It multi-tasks like a champ with the card view, and I need that if I am using a tablet.
• I really don't like the keyboard. The letters stay capitals even when typing lower case and the number keys require a shift. On the TouchPad, the letters change to match the case you are typing and the number row is always visible.
• Lack of native Google apps is a major issue for someone like me. Even the TouchPad has more. 
• Email is ok, but I don't like how it tries to put everything on one screen. 
• Safari works well, but the tab close "x" is on the opposite side of the tab from every other browser out there. I also don't like that it doesn't resize pages to fit well. 
• It was not as responsive or as fast as I thought it would be and there were only a couple of apps loaded on top of the factory setup. 
• Very hard to find settings for many apps (where's the menu button?). Android and webOS have menu buttons for every app.
• Multi-tasking isn't. A double tap on button just brings you to a list of recently used apps like in Android. Both Apple and Android need to look at webOS cards for the way to truly multi-task.
• Lack of Flash is still an issue as I can't access some web sites I use in my Physics classes. Luckily, Discovery Education has an app so I can access their stuff. 
• The button. I really miss the back button from Android and the back gesture from webOS. It makes things work so much better. 
• Sharing features missing. Android has easy, one-click sharing from almost any app to almost any app. This is a very useful feature. 

Positives:

• Hardware is solid and well built, as well as light
• Battery life is excellent
• Apps and UI are elegant, gorgeous to look at
• Apps - lots of them. Many companies make iOS apps 1st (and sometimes only for iOS)
• Easy to use (although not any easier than any other device I've used)
• Widely used in education, so lots of resources on using them available. 

There was no "wow" for me like so many people get. Maybe I'm missing something? Maybe I just don't understand the whole obsession with Apple products? 

Related:

HP TouchPad tablet Review

Apple iPad - is it a game changer?  (written Jan 2010 and updated Dec 2010)

iPads, Chromebooks, on-device apps, cloud apps - great discussions

Android Resources for Education - apps, tips, lesson ideas, reviews, and more

Android Smartphone and Apps I use as an educator

Google Chrome OS and CR-48 notebook review and 1st impressions

hearAll Assessment Recorder - good tool for assessing students in groups

The hearAll Assessment Recorder from Learning Resources is a digital recorder that has four microphones so that it can capture sound from all directions. It charges via a USB connection to your computer, which is also how you transfer files from it. A full charge should last about 4 hours of recording. It works with PC's and Macs, is compatible with MP3 and WAV files, has 128MB of memory for up to 3 hours of recording, and is easy to use. It also has a built in speaker to listen to files.

The files can be downloaded from the device onto your computer and then shared with other teachers, parents or specialists, as well as added to a student's e-portfolio.

It can be used to record group discussions for later assessment, language and speech learning and practice, and much more. A teacher can listen to the recordings to make sure all students were participating, to evaluate speech or language skills, and it's great for practicing foreign language skills. 

It's very easy to use. It has a small screen and only a few buttons for recording, navigating the menu, and for controlling the volume. 

It has a list price of $99, but can be found discounted often. While that may seem expensive, the four microphones are unique to it and truly allow full capturing of audio. 

Disclosure: I received a free hearAll recorder to review for this article.

Easi-Speak Digital Microphone/Recorder - easily record audio

The Easi-Speak Digital Microphone/Recorder, from Learning Resources, is an easy to use wireless microphone that records and stores sound files. It can store up to 4 hours of audio and the files can be transferred to your computer via USB cable and then saved or shared.

It is very easy to use. One button to record and then simply play back and listen through the built in speaker. The battery is sealed and rechargable through the included USB cable and works with PC or Mac computers. Files are uploaded as either WAV or MP3 files and can be saved for digital portfolios, played back for practice, or shared. The built in speaker allows you to instantly play back and review recordings.

So, why would you want one of these? The Easi-Speak Digital Microphone/Recorder can be used for students who don't want to talk in front of the class, to record students practicing speech in language arts, for speech therapy, for practicing public speaking, and to record audio for projects.

It is designed for ages 4+ and up and is portable and easy to use right out of the box.

It has a cover for the USB port that is attached to the microphone by a string so it won't get lost, along with a lanyard so that it won't hit the ground if a student drops it. While it is designed for younger students, it worked well with high school students who used it to record audio for a project they did.

It could also be used by a teacher to record audio in a class for absent students to be able to listen to later.

Durable, easy to use, built-in rechargable battery, and very useful.

Check it out: http://www.learningresources.com/product/teachers/shop+by+category/simple+technology/easi-speak--8482-+usb+recorder.do